Begane grond van het Pavillon Richelieu in het Palais du Louvre c. 1857

Edouard Baldus created this photograph of the ground floor of the Pavillon Richelieu in the Palais du Louvre using a photographic process. The print’s formal qualities are immediately apparent in the symmetry and balance of the architectural forms. The building's facade is structured by the repetition of vertical columns and the geometric precision of the arches and circular windows. The photograph is tonally muted, emphasizing texture and form over vibrant color. Baldus’s composition uses architectural elements to create a sense of depth, pulling the viewer's eye into the shadowed recesses of the building. He also uses light and shadow to articulate the details of the building's surface, highlighting the classical ornamentation. The photograph captures the architectural grandeur of the Louvre, emphasizing its role as a symbol of French cultural authority. Baldus's work documents the transformation of Paris under the Second Empire, using photography to negotiate the relationship between history, architecture, and national identity.